UAE to hold first elections

The Domino Effect.....

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -- The United Arab Emirates will hold its first limited elections for half of its consultative National Council, part of a move towards reform, the Gulf Arab country's president said on Thursday.

"In light of the changes and reforms our region is witnessing ... we decided to begin activating the National Assembly by electing half of its members," Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nayahan said in a speech to mark the UAE's national day.

The speech, carried on state news agency WAM, gave no date for the election to the council, whose 40 members are currently all appointed by the seven semi-autonomous emirates that make up the U.S.-allied UAE.

This is a first step for the start of a gradual process towards much wider participation in the near future," the official said.